My Peugeot has developed a squealing noise when stone dead cold. It only happens when there is more than a tickle of throttle. Lifting off stops the noise. At a steady 30 MPH there is no noise. When starting the car in the evening (ambient say 8°C) there is no noise yet first thing in the morning there is a squeal when there is some load. It starts first time off the key with no hesitation.

This morning it lasted for almost 1/2 mile but last week only for about 1/10 of a mile. I've had a look at the aux belt and it looks OK. The car is 3 1/2 years old BTW. What could be the source of a squeal when it is very cold?

Could be pas belt, when cold the fluid is a bit thicker, so it slips.
Darren

My daughter's 306 did exactly that and it was quite embarassing at times! I thought it was the water pump so bought a new one, also did the cambelt as it was due (including tensioner as you should always do) and it turned out to be the tensioner pulley itself, it had seized solid

Changed it and the pump as I'd already bought it and it is now quiet as a mouse

JB

Same happened on my daughter's old Saxo. I was the alternator belt. I tried tightening it up a few times but it still kept on making the noise, only for a few minutes first thing in the morning when it was cold.

I changed the belt and hey presto, problem fixed. btw, the old belt was cracked between every tooth, and there were a couple of teeth missing, so it would be worth checking your belt(s) even it it turns out not to be the problem on your car.

either fit a new belt or tighten it up. If you spray WD40 on it and all goes quiet then its just the belt needing adjusted

This has happened to me 3 times in 3 different cars as it gets colder, was always the alternator belt

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
either fit a new belt or tighten it up. If you spray WD40 on it and all goes quiet then its just the belt needing adjusted

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Alternators are harder to turn when they are replacing the charge the starter has just used so the belt slips, there should be no play in the belt. Use silicone spray on PAS belts, cockpit spray is the stuff not WD40

When I drove the busses they’d squeal like crazy after starting them up (had to turn them off if waiting at the end of the route). Simple cure was to just switch the interior lights off to lighten the load on the alternator till it caught up with the engine speed and switch them back on, always worked. The belts where simply too worn but only seemed to be replaced when they snapped.

Thanks chaps. It has electric steering so no PAS pump belt but it will add load to the alternator. I'll have a proper look at it later.

Once the belts starts squealing it is a sign it is worn -- new belt required.